Vazquez scores for USMNT in 2-1 defeat to Serbia
Vazquez scores for USMNT in 2-1 defeat to Serbia
The friendly in Los Angeles featured the international debut of eight American players
Brandon Vazquez — one of eight players to make his USMNT senior debut — scored in the first half on Wednesday in a 2-1 defeat to Serbia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Among those making their international debuts was goalkeeper Gaga Slonina. In doing so, he became the youngest player in USMNT history — at age 18 years and 255 days — to start a game for the senior U.S. squad.
Veljko Simic’s goal in the opening minute of the second half turned out to be the winning goal for Serbia, which saw 14 players make their national team debuts.
The Americans were coached by interim manager Anthony Hudson after Gregg Berhalter’s contract had expired on Dec. 31. U.S. Soccer is currently undergoing a review of Berhalter’s record at the recent World Cup in Qatar, where the Americans were eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16.
The process has been further complicated by a controversy involving the parents of Gio Reyna and their assertion that the Borussia Dortmund striker had not received enough playing time at the World Cup.
Claudio and Danielle Reyna, during their griping about their son’s lack of playing time, told U.S. Soccer officials that Berhalter had once kicked his now-wife Rosalind during a fight while the two were still college students. That triggered a probe that is still ongoing.
Hudson’s 24-player roster is currently training in Southern California and is made up largely of MLS players and Olympic team hopefuls.
The USMNT’s next game is a friendly against Colombia on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.